Cape Town Car Hire

Guide to Cape Town

Cape Town was developed as a modern settlement by the Dutch East India Company and served as a station for ships restocking on the way to India and the Far East. It blossomed into the Cape Colony and was South Africa’s largest city until the late 19th Century, when the Witwatersrand gold rush expanded Johannesburg’s population exponentially. Modern Cape Town is an enchanting city with a magical mix of cultures and a relaxed, creative ambience.

Cape town is fondly known as the “Mother City”, set against the stunning back drop of the Table Mountain Plateau and the sapphire blue seas in Table Bay this South African gem really does have it all, from centuries-old architecture, it’s buzzing harbour and streets packed with nightlife and sleek modern shopfronts. Cape Town’s rich history intermingled with modern culture will keep you coming back over and over again.

Things to do in Cape Town

Cape Town was developed as a modern settlement by the Dutch East India Company and served as a station for ships restocking on the way to India and the Far East. It blossomed into the Cape Colony and was South Africa’s largest city until the late 19th Century, when the Witwatersrand gold rush expanded Johannesburg’s population exponentially. Modern Cape Town is an enchanting city with a magical mix of cultures and a relaxed, creative ambience.

The Table Mountain Ariel Cableway needs to be one of the first things that you do when you arrive in Cape Town. Taking you 3500 ft above the city. Whilst the climb itself only takes around five minutes in a slowly rotating cable car the views are utterly breath-taking. There is a café at the summit or space outside to sit with a picnic and check out the local wildlife. Cars run seven days a week and trips are roughly every ten minutes.

The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Set in 5.2 sq/km you’ll find more than 7000 of South Africa’s 22,000 native plant species including the famous fynbos. During the summer months there is a huge range of outdoor concerts held here and the treetop walkway gives you a unique view of the park. There are free guided tours of the park however if you’d rather explore it on your own then you can hire the MyGuide to receive recorded information about the various plants you’ll find along the various circular walks.

Inside the former Methodist Mission Church, you’ll find the District Six Museum. Brace yourself to be moved by this museum that celebrates the once lively multiracial area that was destroyed during apartheid in the 1960s and 1970s it’s and 60,000 inhabitants forcibly removed. If you take a Township tour you’ll often find that this is one of the first stops they make to give you an insight into the turbulent history of the country. Many of the staff here are displaced residents, or the descendants of, and have heart-breaking tales for you to listen to.

If you want to get out of the city and take advantage of your hire car then head out on the Cape Point Road Trip. Approximately 140km in total it takes you in an anti- clockwise scenic drive around the peninsula passing through some of the most beautiful sights on the peninsula including Llandudno, Hout Bay, Chapmans Peak Drive, Noordhoek, Scarborough, Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Simons Town, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg.

If you’d like to see some of the animals that South Africa is so famous for then the Gondwana Game Reserve is an excellent safari experience. Dedicated to the conservation of the “Big 5” and is your chance to see rhinos, elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo and leopards in their natural environment. Set four hours outside of Cape Town is doable in a day however if you’d prefer there is a Game Lodge with overnight accommodation on site.

Robben Island was used as a prison from the early days of the VOC right up until 1996. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to the people (including Nelson Mandela) that were incarcerated here. You can only visit here in a tour which lasts around four hours including the ferry ride. Booking online well in advance is highly recommended as tours can sell out. Even if you don’t plan a visit to the island, it’s worth dropping by the free museum at the Nelson Mandela Gateway, with its focus on the struggle for equality.

Another great way to see Cape Towns wildlife is the Boulders Penguin Colony. Small sandy beaches are divided by towering boulders and house over 3000 delightful little African penguins. A boardwalk runs from the Boulders Visitor Centre at the Foxy Beach end of the protected area to Boulders Beach, where you can walk amongst the penguins. Although they look cute don’t be tempted to try and touch them, their beaks are razor sharp and can cause a lot of damage. If you visit during the breeding season March to May, you’ll be treated to a cacophony of braying which will leave you with no doubts as to why they used to be called jackass penguins.

Set on the waterfront this old grain silo is now home to the Zeitz MOCCA Museum. Only opened in 2017 this museum is still trying to find its feet in the exhibition world but is home to contemporary Southern African art collection of entrepreneur Jochen Zeitz, as well the museum’s own extensive collection as well as some beautiful loaned works. Easily the most striking thing about this museum is the building in which it’s housed, when it opened in 1921 the grain silo was South Africa's tallest building. Since then it’s undergone a radical transformation both inside and out into the state-of-the-art building that you’ll find today.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline fix then head about 90-minutes outside of Cape Town to Downhill Adventures. Here you’ll be able to try out sandboarding on the dunes or quad biking in the desert. They also offer surf lessons and, for the exceptionally brave travellers out there, cage diving with the sharks.

Eating out in Cape Town

Cape Town is fab for foodies, thanks to haute cuisine at Hemelhuijs, French fusion fare at La Tete, and beautiful bistro-style creations at Black Sheep

Fresh, local ingredients are the name of the game here and Cape Town is a multi-cultural melting pot meaning it has an incredibly diverse, globally inspired culinary landscape for you to sample. So, whether you’re looking for a meaty feat or a delicately inspired 12-course taster menu Cape Town has it all.

The Test Kitchen has won award after award since its inception in 2010. Chef Luke Dale-Roberts brings you fine-dining at quite literally its finest. The inventive taster menu is packed with local specialities given a modern European flourish, be warned though its definitely a budget buster of a night out. Booking in advance is a must and if you still find you’re struggling to get a booking try its sister restaurant Pot Luck Club.

If you’re looking for something a little easier on the bank balance but equally delicious then head to La Colombe. Consistently receiving world-wide acclaim it’s positioned amongst the top restaurants in the world and once you’ve tasted their food you’ll soon see why. It’s whimsical and creative French-Asian themed tasting menus are a delight on the palate and there is no attention to detail spared when it comes to their presentation. As with The Test Kitchen you’ll need to book well in advance to secure a table.

Slightly further out of town you’ll find Millers Thumb. A completely unpretentious, yet always packed to the rafter’s eatery. Serving up generous portions of mouth-watering seafood and steaks, this restaurant has its guests coming back time and time again. Knowledgeable staff are more than happy to make recommendations for you and its quirky interior make this a must-visit whilst you’re in Cape Town.

South African food can be a little meat heavy so if you find yourself craving something a little different then Royale Eatery is the place for you. With a full page of delicious vegan and vegetarian options on offer (as well as some delightful meat offerings) this restaurant has really moved with the times in terms of what people want. They even have a range of dairy-free milkshakes available.

Cape Town nightlife

Warm evenings, excellent wine and a unique mix of Afro-Euro vibes make Cape Town a night out to remember. From vibrant cocktail bars to laid back music venues there’s something for everyone on offer in this city.

Coco is where tourists and locals alike go to rub shoulders with celebrities. This is one of the most exclusive clubs in Cape Town, expect to find high-end bottle service and awesome tunes blasting from the speakers. Friday nights are reserved for Dancehall and Hip Hop, while house music is played every Saturday.

As its name might suggest Shimmy Beach Club is an alfresco champagne lounge set on its own private beach. This dance venue is famous for its amazing parties and on-site pool. Private areas are reserved for VIP’s and the parties usually last until the sun comes up.

Piano Bar can only really be described as a New York-inspired cocktail and jazz club. With live music throughout the week offering everything from blues to indie music it’s the perfect place to start your evening. They have a comprehensive cocktail list as well as a tasty tapas menu to accompany it.

If you want somewhere a little more laid back to watch the sun go down with a expertly crafted cocktail then Café Caprice is the place for you. With all the current beats playing both day and night it attracts large crowds especially over the summer months. Overlooking Camps Bay Beach, it’s the perfect place to watch the sun set.

Transport in Cape Town

Public transport in Cape Town is fairly reliable, with options like the City Sightseeing Bus and various commuter train lines, but you need a car to discover its outlying attractions properly.

Top Tips when hiring a car in Cape Town

● A big number of users encountered rental cars in Cape Town for less than £21 per day.

● Booking your rental car in Cape Town in advance even if it's by at least 1 day before your trip ensures you'll get cheap car hire deals.

● Economy hire car models in Cape Town are cheaper and more popular than other vehicle types among travelers.

● The car hire companies found in the Cape Town International Airport are known to offer the best car hire deals, making them the most popular car hire location.

● The car hire agencies found in the Cape Town International Airport, such as Tempest car hire, Avis car rental and others are easy to access in the arrivals terminal. If you wish to go for a car rental as soon as you land then this is your best option.

● Other popular car hire locations can be found in the city centre and downtown Cape Town. Hiring a car in any of them will be more expensive than the airport but can be convenient at times.

● Among South Africa's best attractions is the Table mountain national park, Western cape and the Atlantic Ocean road drive which can easily be accessed by car.